HUS Marches with the Architects Guild at Arts in the Dark 2024

Architects don’t have a lot of extra time on their hands, but when it's in service of a creative endeavor – creating an over-the-top headpiece of your favorite spatial moment in Chicago – they find the time! 

The Architect’s Guild marched down State Street in the Arts in the Dark Parade for an enthusiastic night time crowd! 50 architects donned headpieces paying homage to spaces like the Bean, Thompson Center, Aqua Tower, Chinatown, and the Ferris Wheel. 

As a community based firm, we had some internal discussions about representing local landmarks and discussed the constructability and comfort of wear of each of the various options. We were  ultimately most inspired by the St. Charles Airline Bridge near Ping Tom Park – an iconic image of Chicago’s many moveable bridges. Our headpiece has three massive tresses jutting out from the helmet like a mohawk representing the stages of Chicago’s bridges. The helmet decorations additionally represent the green of the park, the blue in the river, and the red railing throughout Ping Tom Park. 

We love being a part of this vibrant city and celebrating Chicago’s glorious architecture and community. Shout out to Jan for creating the bulk of the helmet and marching it down State Street! To Mac for creating the red railing piece, and to all other staff who helped bring all the pieces together! 

Check out the progress pictures from concept to completion:

Jan before the parade! Photo credit: Erielle Bakkum Photography